Wildgrain

Wildgrain is the first bake-from-frozen subscription service delivering artisan sourdough bread, fresh pasta, and pastries from small bakeries across America. Founded in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Ismail Salhi and Johanna Hartzheim, the company was born from their longing for the artisan breads they enjoyed daily while living in Paris.

Company History

Ismail (Algerian-born computer scientist) and Johanna (German industrial designer) met in Paris and spent years frequenting neighborhood boulangeries. After moving to Somerville, Massachusetts in 2015, they struggled to find bread with the same slow-fermented quality they loved in Europe. During the pandemic, their first business (an event-focused startup) was struggling, and Johanna spotted a gap in the market for high-quality, convenient artisan bread delivery.

Wildgrain launched in 2020 and has grown rapidly, reaching over $31 million in sales by 2023 while becoming profitable. The company now partners with over 45 small bakeries nationwide and serves more than 80,000 active subscribers. Wildgrain has been named the #1 Best Food Subscription Box by USA Today for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025) and Best Gourmet Subscription Box by Newsweek (2024 and 2025).

Products & Services

Wildgrain offers three main box types:

• Variety Box: Mix of sourdough breads, artisan pastries, and fresh hand-cut pasta ($69-$159)
• Bakery Box: Sourdough breads and pastries only, no pasta ($89)
• Vegan Box: Plant-based options across breads, pastries, and pasta ($69-$159)
• Gluten-Free Box: Certified gluten-free breads, pastries, and pasta ($89-$189)

All items are par-baked and flash-frozen, then bake in home ovens in under 25 minutes. Products stay fresh in the freezer for up to 12 months.

What Sets Them Apart

Wildgrain differentiates through quality and convenience. Their sourdough breads are slow-fermented for 20+ hours (compared to 20 minutes for typical grocery store bread), which leads to easier digestion, better nutrient absorption, and lower blood sugar spikes. The company partners exclusively with small, independent bakeries rather than mass manufacturers.

The A+ BBB rating with accreditation and 4.7 Trustpilot rating across 705 reviews reflects strong customer satisfaction. Members receive free croissants for life (on 6+ item plans) and can skip, pause, or cancel anytime. Wildgrain has donated over 850,000 meals to address food insecurity, reflecting their commitment to social impact alongside product quality.